The Philippines and Hungary reaffirmed their strong bilateral relations following the courtesy visit of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan to Budapest on Wednesday.

Caunan’s meeting with Hungrian State Secretary Illés Boglárka focused on migrant worker support and bilateral cooperation, OWWA said in a social media post Thursday.

In a separate post, Boglárka underscored the significance of the Central European Regional Center established in Budapest in 2024, in strengthening the ties between the two nations.

“It is due to the strong relationship and stable environment between the Philippines and Hungary that they chose our country as the location for their Central European regional center, and it has been operating successfully since its opening last year,” she said.

Since its opening, the hub has provided vital services to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) across Europe, further cementing Hungary’s role as a partner in migrant welfare.

Meanwhile, Caunan also met with Philippine Ambassador to Hungary Maria Elena Algabre to discuss tighter coordination between OWWA, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The meeting focused on strengthening programs that safeguard the welfare of OFWs in Budapest and nearby countries.

OFW caravan

Nearly 200 OFWs attended the “Alagang OWWA (OWWA Care): Wellness and Membership Caravan” led by Caunan in the Hungarian capital on Wednesday.

During the event, OWWA was able to distribute 155 eCards and renew the membership of 113 OFWs, ensuring uninterrupted access to the agency’s benefits and protection programs.

OWWA emphasized that the caravan was designed to make its core services more accessible to Filipinos abroad.

“Sa pamamagitan nito, hindi na kinakailangang umuwi pa ng Pilipinas ang ating mga OFWs upang maisaayos ang kanilang mga membership at makuha ang iba pang serbisyong kanilang kinakailangan (Through this, our OFWs no longer need to return to the Philippines to update their membership or access the support they are entitled to),” Caunan said.

Aside from membership processing, the caravan also highlighted OWWA’s wellness programs, underscoring the Philippine government’s commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of Filipinos overseas and their families. (PNA)